Retractable Bird Line

ABSTRACT

Retractable bird line devices are contemplated that comprise a plurality of posts and one or more lines strung between the posts to prevent geese or other birds from accessing a body of land from an adjacent body of water. The lines are automatically biased by an automatic line biasing component and may be retractable to within one of the posts.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is bird lines.

BACKGROUND

Various methods and devices for using bird lines to deter birds from accessing bodies of water are known. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,622,436 to Kretsch; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,607 to Kastner et al. These and all other extrinsic materials discussed herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

It is also known to use fences with retractable lines in order to simplify set-up and removal of fences, and to allow adjustment and tensioning of the lines once the lines are in place. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,391 to Kretsch et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,350,480 to Hughes. While such tensioning devices are useful, there is still a significant level of difficulty involved in setting up and removing such devices. Many components must be individually positioned, and measurements may need to be taken to prepare line materials for installation on posts, after which line lengths must be cut and installed, amounting to a considerable amount of effort. Additionally, such devices can require frequent adjustments during long periods of use to maintain desired tension levels, further adding to the time and effort involved in installing and maintaining such lines.

Thus, there is still a need for a bird line which is easy to set up and remove, and which is not subject to the problems discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods in which a retractable bird line device automatically biases at least one line extending between a plurality of posts. A first line is configured to extend from a first post to second and third posts with at least one of the first and third posts having an automatic line biasing component. This configuration is effective for preventing geese and other birds from accessing a body of water from adjacent land, and overcomes many of the shortcomings associated with prior bird line devices. In particular, the present invention eliminates the need to continually adjust a bird line to ensure that the line is tensed appropriately. While bird lines previously known in the art can begin to sag and even rest on the ground during prolonged periods of use, automatically biasing the bird line maintains proper tension in the line to keep the line elevated at the proper height and thereby deter birds from crossing it.

In one aspect, a method for automatically biasing a first line and optionally subsequent lines of a bird line apparatus is provided, including placing first, second, and third posts about a body of water and advancing a first line from the first post to the second post and then to the third post, attaching the first line to the third post, and automatically tensioning the first line such that it stays taut.

Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commercially practical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a device to keep birds away from a land near a body of water.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a post having a line that retracts within the post.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a post illustrating two alternate means of automatically tensioning a line.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a retractable bird line device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method of inhibiting birds from accessing a body of water.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIG. 1, an embodiment of a retractable bird line device 100 is shown having a first post 110, a second post 120, and a third post 130 disposed about a body of water 160. While device 100 is shown with only three posts, it is envisioned that any number of posts may be used, depending on the location and conditions surrounding the device 100. For example, a device used about a larger body of water may benefit from the use of more posts, or a more irregular shoreline may be best suited by multiple posts spaced closer together to more closely approximate the irregular characteristics of the shoreline, including both changes in direction of the shoreline and height of obstacles or obstructions about a body of water.

The device 100 can include a first line 140 configured to extend from first post 110 to second post 120 and third post 130. The device 100 can also include an optional second line 150, which could likewise extend from first post 110 to second post 120 and to third post 130. Alternatively, either of first 140 and second line 150 may extend in an alternative direction, such as from third post 130 to second post 120 and to first post 110. Although not shown in FIG. 1, it is envisioned that at least one of first post 110, second post 120, and third post 130 includes an automatic line biasing component coupled to at least one of the first and second lines 140 and 150. First line 140 and second line 150 may each comprise string, nylon, wire, cord, cable, rope, or any other elongate material suitable for extending from one post to another. Posts such as first post 110, second post 120, and third post 130 may be fashioned of wood, metal, plastic, rubber, or any other commercially suitable material or combination(s) thereof.

It is envisioned that if second line 150 is used, the second line 150 can preferably be disposed approximately 6-10 inches above or below the first line, although other distances between the lines could alternatively be used depending upon the application. In an especially preferred embodiment, the first and second lines 140 and 150 can be situated relative to each other and the ground such that the second line 150 is between approximately 1-4 inches from the ground and the first line 140 is between approximately 6-10 inches above the second line 150. Such arrangement is important to prevent geese from accessing a body of water 160, and the line heights are suggested to adequately deter or prevent a goose from walking through or past the lines 140 and 150, or from flying over the lines 140 and 150 in order to access the body of water 160. However, other configurations of alternative or differing heights of lines could also be used depending upon the type(s) of birds to keep out of the body of water 160 and the layout of the area surrounding body of water 160.

The lines 140 and 150 may be coupled to the tops or sides of posts 110, 120, and 130, or may alternatively be coupled to existing fencing instead of the posts. For example, if fencing is present along a portion of a body of water, a bird line of the present invention may be used in conjunction with and as an extension of the existing fence, where the line is extended from the fence to a plurality of posts, or from a plurality of posts to the existing fence. The line biasing component may likewise be positioned at any of a plurality of posts or existing fencing, and the line may likewise be retractable to any of a plurality of posts or existing fencing. It is also contemplated that one or more of posts 110, 120, and 130 can be configured to attach to an existing fence or posts disposed about the body of water 160.

In FIG. 2, an embodiment of a post 200 is shown comprising a hole 220 and a spool 230 mounted within post 200. A line 210 is shown spooled around spool 230 within post 200 and traveling through hole 220 to an exterior of post 200. Line 210 can be retractable into post 200, and spool 230 may be biased by a spring or other biasing means such that line 210 is automatically retractable into post 200. Alternatively, spool 230 could be mounted externally to post 200 and hole 220 could be eliminated. It is further envisioned that post 200 includes one or more additional lines which may also be configured to be retractable into post 200, similar to first line 210 as depicted in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 3, another embodiment of a post 300 is shown comprising two automatic line biasing elements: spring 320 attached to and automatically biasing first line 310, and gas cartridge 340 attached to and automatically biasing second line 330. It should be noted that the present invention does not limit itself to the use of two distinct types of automatic line biasing elements as depicted in FIG. 3. More preferably, the present invention anticipates that a specific environment may be better suited to use of springs or gas cartridges or another commercially suitable tensioning device, and the first and second lines would each be tensioned using the same line biasing component on both lines, but it is not outside the scope of the present invention to use both a spring and a gas cartridge or otherwise two different line biasing components together on separate lines.

In a FIG. 4, another embodiment of a retractable bird line device 400 is shown having a first line 410 and a second line 420, which may each be configured to extend from first post 450 to second post 460 and to third post 470. Device 400 can additionally include a mesh 430 that is disposed between the first line 410 and the second line 420. Mesh 430 may be used to deter birds from landing on either of the first line 410 or second line 420, or to further deter geese or other birds from crossing the boundary created by the first and second lines 410 and 420 and accessing body of water 440. Mesh 430 may also help identify the apparatus to nearby persons who may not notice the apparatus otherwise and subsequently walk into or trip over it.

Mesh 430 may include a single mesh component or multiple mesh components. A single mesh component of mesh 430 may be disposed between adjacent posts, or multiple mesh components may be used between each set of adjacent posts. Mesh 430 may also be used in one region of device 400, but not in a different region of device 400. For example, an area with poor visibility or heavy pedestrian traffic may benefit from the use of mesh 430 while a further length of device 400 may have greater visibility or less pedestrian traffic and thus the use of mesh 430 between first line 410 and second line 420 may not be desirable. Mesh 430 is preferably removably coupled to at least one of the first and second lines. It is also envisioned that mesh 430 may be removably coupled to only a portion of either first line 410 or second line 420. Even further, in devices utilizing more than two lines, mesh 430 may extend between all lines, or only adjacent lines, as necessitated by conditions where device 400 is situated.

In yet a further embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a method 500 of inhibiting birds from accessing a body of water is envisioned, method 500 comprising the step 510 placing a first post, step 511 placing a second post, and step 512 placing a third post. The method further comprises step 520 advancing a first line from the first post to the second post, step 521 of advancing the first line from the second post to the third post, and step 522 of automatically tensioning the first line. The method also optionally includes steps 530 of advancing a second line from the first post to the second post, step 531 of advancing the second line from the second post to the third post, and step 532 of automatically tensioning the second line. Even further, method 500 optionally comprises steps 541 of attaching a mesh between a portion of the first and second lines, and step 542 of attaching a further portion of mesh to a further portion of the first and second lines. While it is not shown in the figure, it is contemplated that more components may be utilized, such as more than three posts and more than two lines and more than two mesh portions. Additionally, the automatic tensioning of first and optionally additional lines may be performed by the use of a line biasing component which may comprise a spring, a gas cartridge, or any other means of automatically biasing a line so that it remains taut.

In FIG. 6, another embodiment of a post 600 is shown having a hook 610 coupled to the post, which is configured to allow for quick coupling/decoupling of a line 620 to the post. In contrast to loops through which the line 620 must be threaded, hook 610 advantageously allows the line to be quickly and easily decoupled from the post 600 without first requiring removal of the line from an adjacent post.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc. 

1. A retractable bird line device, comprising: first, second, and third posts; and a first line configured to extend from the first post, to the second post and to the third post; wherein the second post comprises a hook configured to receive the first line and allow the first line to be removably coupled to the second post without removing the line from an adjacent post; and wherein at least at least one of the first and third posts has an automatic line biasing component.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the line biasing component comprises a spring.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the line biasing component comprises a gas cartridge.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the first line is retractable into the first post.
 5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second line configured to extend from the first post, to the second post and to the third post.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the second line is retractable into the first post.
 7. The device of claim 5, further comprising a mesh configured to be disposed between the first and second lines.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the first line comprises a string.
 9. A method of inhibiting birds from accessing a body of water having an existing fence with an existing post, comprising: placing first, second, and third posts about the body of water; advancing a first line from the first post, to the second post, to the third post, and to the existing post; attaching the first line to the existing post; and automatically tensioning the first line such that the first line remains taut.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: advancing a second line from the first post, to the second post, and to the third post; and attaching the second line to the third post.
 11. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of automatically tensioning the second line such that the second line remains taut.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of automatically tensioning the first line comprises using a line biasing component coupled to the first post.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the line biasing component comprises a spring.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the line biasing component comprises a gas cartridge.
 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of automatically tensioning the first line comprises using a line biasing component coupled to the existing post. 